Nazareth emergency management coordinator resigns from post

The emergency management coordinator hired by Nazareth Borough Council last year to replace longtime coordinator Mike Rinker has resigned.

James Collins, a former fire chief and current public works assistant superintendent, had been tapped for the role by council in February 2013, replacing former OEM coordinator Rinker, who served in the position for more than a decade.

Councilman Carl Fischl, who leads the fire and police committees, said Collins told him last week he planned to resign due to conflicts between his OEM duties and his other duties. Council unanimously approved the resignation during tonight’s council meeting, pending a replacement.

“There was too much conflict with him as OEM manager and assistant public works manager … plus the weekends were catching up with him,” Fischl said. “It was amicable, he just thought it was time to move on.”

Mayor Carl Strye said the position, which pays $2,400 annually, will now be advertised. Collins' term was slated to end December 2014.

When council nominated Collins to replace Rinker, Rinker told council he would forgo the salary to stay on board. Fischl repeatedly told the public there was nothing wrong with Rinker’s performance and the issue was “availability,” meaning council wanted someone already in the borough to hold the position.

At the time, two other hopefuls -- Keith Knecht, the borough's former public works superintendent, and Troy Keenhold, a borough firefighter and the brother of Vigilance Hose Fire Co. Chief Danny Keenhold -- also were interested.

Collins could not be reached for further comment and Rinker declined comment this evening.